To the Chargers’ credit, they have not suffered much in the injury department. The Bolts’ biggest problem, to this point, has been the self-inflicted wounds (the Denver collapse and the Browns debacle).

Officially, the Chargers currently are the No. 7 seed in the six-team AFC playoffs. They are looking up at the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens and the current AFC front-running Houston Texans. So now that it’s been laid out for them, the Chargers only need one thing.

Wins.

Tampa Bay was a long flight, and a resetting of the body clock, but it must start here. There are no more second chances at this point. The slides that this team experienced (Saints, Broncos and Browns) should be burning a hole in their collective souls, more than enough to get them on the field in Tampa in the right frame of mind.

Last week’s Kansas City blowout at least proved that they still know how to win. The Chargers also know that with four wins and four losses, each and every game is vital to their postseason chances.

A closer look at the playoff situation shows us that during the second half of the season the Chargers will face three teams that are currently ahead of them. They will deal with Pittsburgh and Denver on the road, and hopefully be thankful to host Baltimore the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Can you substitute Raven for turkey on Thanksgiving? The Chargers do not have an option.

As the Chargers kick off the second half of their season, at 4-4, my preseason prediction that the Chargers will not make the playoffs stands.

Who have they beaten? Think about it, the Raiders (3-5), Titans (3-6) and Chiefs (1-7) twice.

As for the teams that have beaten the Chargers? The Falcons (8-0), Saints (3-5), Broncos (5-3) and 2-7 CLEVELAND!

Look at the schedule for the second half, the Chargers still must play at Denver, Pittsburgh and the Jets. Frankly, they don’t fare well traveling east and playing in cold weather.

Baltimore and Cincy come to Qualcomm, and neither are guaranteed wins.

Elsewhere in the AFC playoff race, the Broncos are at Carolina this week, then the Chargers go to Denver, Manning has easy wins coming against the pathetic Chiefs twice and even the Browns remain.

It’s not just the Broncos who stand in the Chargers’ way, though. Baltimore and Pittsburgh will battle for a wild-card spot, as will Indy and maybe even Miami.

This season is far from over, and perhaps the Chargers will prove those of us who are not just pure homers wrong. But if they are going to do it, they better start by getting a win over Tampa today. It will take a huge effort and flawless performance to beat the Broncos in Denver. If they win the next two games, I will reconsider my cloudy outlook.

Scott vs. B.R.

Billy Ray Smith

Scott kaplan

Scott Kaplan and Billy Ray Smith can be seen on U-T TV’s Scott, B.R. + Amber Show Monday through Friday on Cox Ch 114 or uttv.com